Farm Gates and Shed doors during October 2010?
Wine and Food producers
We are hoping there might be enough interest to resurrect the Farm Gates and Shed Doors concept during the region-wide Tourism month in October – and am just wondering how many operators might be interested in opening their doors? Alternatively there may be other events you are offering between September and May which are also keen to hear about.
Our target market for Tourism month is those living within an hour or so, with the aim that we are helping locals discover what they have their right in their own backyard.
They then become our best ambassadors for the “Visiting Friends and Relatives” segment who are a major visitor group – especially during Christmas and Easter periods. Therefore if you are able to offer special discounts or free entry for locals next time they visit with their friends or relatives, then so much the better.
Some suggestions might include:
- Set times for guided tours of the cellar or discussion about pruning or growing grapes, or what’s involved in producing honey, olive oil or lavender etc
- Offer something unique to entice visitors e.g a master-class matching local food and wine; a special tasting with the winemaker, bread or cheese making; live music or a special offer for anyone who buys x 1-6 bottles etc.
- Team up with 2-3 other operators and tailor a bus tour to all your businesses e.g last year ~ $80 buy in x 3 operators allowed them to hire a bus from Shepparton delivering customers right to your door – with no charge to the customer. (We could arrange for buses to leave from any Visitor Info Centre for instance in the region – and I’m happy to assist in facilitating introductions to other businesses which would complement your own as required)
- Value add with package deals or special offers for return visitation - e.g a free course next time you return with 2 guests; or free coffee if you purchase half a dozen bottles etc
click image for event listing form
If you’d like to be involved simply let us know when and what you are planning on the attached event listing form, and we’ll promote it for you for free both in our events calendar on line and a hard copy, plus the region wide Events calendar (30,000) for Tourism month. There’ll be lots of publicity surrounding this month with radio, tv and print media all locked in...
We look forward to receiving the attached event listing form by 22nd July at the latest – and feel free to forward it onto your networks if you see it as appropriate.
Catherine Macmillan, Manager Tourism and Events,
Strathbogie Shire Council, PO Box 177, Euroa VIC 3666
T: (03) 5795 0000; Direct: (03) 5795 0059; Toll Free: 1800 065 993; F: (03) 5795 3550; M: 0400 648 434
E: catherine.macmillan@strathbogie.vic.gov.au
www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au